With solemn grace and heartfelt celebration, the Department of Economics of Xavier University – Ateneo de Cagayan honored its graduating class during the 7th Xavier Ateneo Economics Celebratory Rituals: Pinning Ceremony 2025, held on 26 April 2025, at the Immaculate Conception Chapel.
Fourteen exceptional students from the Bachelor of Arts in Economics program stood at the symbolic threshold of their academic journey — officially declared as candidates for graduation in a moment marked by deep reflection and anticipation of the future.
Photos by Rafael LaVictoria and Christian Josh Abuso
The event commenced with a Eucharistic Mass presided over by Fr Harvey Mateo, setting the tone of thanksgiving, reverence, and renewed purpose. The spiritual grounding of the ceremony reminded attendees that intellectual achievement is inseparable from character and service.
Following the mass, Dr Judy P Sendaydiego, Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, delivered her Opening Remarks, commending the graduates for their resilience and perseverance. Her message highlighted the strength of a liberal arts education in shaping not only capable professionals but also compassionate and ethical leaders.
At the heart of the celebration was the Pinning Ceremony, led by Mr Jhon Louie B Sabal, MAEcon, Chairperson of the Department of Economics. The act of pinning — simple in gesture but rich in meaning — symbolized the students’ transition from academic learners to economic leaders. Each pin served as a commitment to uphold ethical scholarship, economic justice, and social responsibility.
Adding to the ceremony’s emotional depth was a moving message from Dr Juliet Q Dalagan, Vice President for Higher Education. Her words resonated with a call to boldness and service, urging the candidates to carry Xavier Ateneo’s core values of Magis, Cura Personalis, and Excellence as they step beyond the university gates.
Photos by Rafael LaVictoria and Christian Josh Abuso
The ceremony was more than a rite of passage — it was a celebration of grit, growth, and the lasting bonds forged through years of shared academic pursuit. As the graduates now prepare to shape the economic landscapes of the future, they do so with heads held high — ready to challenge systemic inequities and contribute to inclusive and sustainable progress.
Here’s to the legacy they leave behind, and the future they are ready to conquer.
Congratulations, Xavier Ateneo Economics Batch 2025!